The
French Riviera is the height of luxury. This is where the jet-set crowd dock their yachts and come out and play. From five-star resorts to glittering casinos, the place is a utopia-like escape for the rich and famous. But what is it about southern France that captivates the elite? What makes it such a worthwhile destination? Well, it's the coast. Along the French Riviera are some of the most paradisiacal beaches in France. They include Calanque d’En Vau, Plages du Prado, Plages du Midi, Solarium Beach, and even Île Sainte-Marguerite, among many others. One look at any of them and you'll instantly understand what's so magical about the French Riviera.
Calanque d’En Vau
Far from the most famous beaches on the French Riviera, Calanque d’En Vau is a small cove located east of Marseille. Surrounded by high cliffs and stunning rock formations, the only way to get there is by boat. And even when you reach the cove, all you'll see is a pretty small shoreline. So why does it start this list off? Simple! Calanque d’En Vau is undoubtedly one of, if not the most beautiful beach in southern France. It has remained largely untouched, allowing its natural beauty to shine through.
Source: Flickr.com/ Thibault Houspic
Plage D'Argent
Located between Saint Tropez and Marsailles, it's easy to overlook Île de Porquerolles. Though one of the
most enchanting islands in France, its location near two pretty famous cities makes for quite the disadvantage. However, some would argue otherwise. Since the island isn't as packed with tourists as other parts of the French Riviera, this allows its beach, Plage D'Argent, to be quite the scenic and serene coast. From its powdery white sand to its gradient waters, this beach is stunning!
Source: Flickr.com/ Pierre Metivier
Plage du Prophète
Plage du Prophète is perhaps the most well-known beach in Marseille. Since the shoreline extends beyond the coast, there's more space for people to have fun under the sun. Trust that during the day, this place gets pretty packed. From families to friends, Plage du Prophète invited everyone to have a good time. And this is why it's one of the best beaches on the French Riviera. It captures the
joie de vivre of southern France in all its Mediterranean glory.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ JohnLuke
Plages du Prado
The Plages du Prado in Marseilles is a series of beaches that stretches for miles and miles. It's one of the longest coasts on the French Riviera, allowing everyone, locals and tourists alike, to have as much seaside fun as they want. Because of this, this part of southern France has captivated everyone. There are some areas that are pretty busy, complete with
beach restaurants, sunset bars, and the like. And there are others where you can get a fair distance away from all the hustle and bustle.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Ximonic, Simo Räsänen
Plage du Midi
Since it's the most popular beach in Cannes, there's no way Plage du Midi won't make it onto this list of the best beaches on French Riviera! It's the quintessential southern France coast—a mix of natural beauty and urban flair. Though the shoreline is pretty near the many bustling
neighborhoods in Cannes, giving the beachgoers the best of both worlds. On one side, there's the Mediterranean sea, glistening under the sun. And on the other is the high-class metropolis, shining in its luxurious splendor. What's not to love?
Source: Flickr.com/ Chuck Burgess
Plage des Marinières
The colorful coastal town of Villefranche-sur-Mer in Nice is a pretty
underrated destination on the French Riviera. Nice itself is a fairly famous city, but Villefranche-sur-Mer isn't exactly as popular. Perhaps if people discovered Plage des Marinières, which is the area's beach, they'll all want to go there as soon as summer starts. This fairly long stretch of sand and sea is Mediterranean beauty at its finest. With the beautiful town in the backdrop, the entire place is worth putting on a postcard!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Plage de la Réserve
Another beach in Nice is Plage de la Réserve. If you thought that this would be another white sandy shoreline, think again! This is a rocky beach, one of many on the French Riviera. It's not exactly the kind you'd play beach volleyball on or lay down on a blanket to get a tan. Nevertheless, this doesn't mean it’s a bad coast either! On the contrary, the locals enjoy swimming here. They hang out by the big rocks and dive right in. In a way, Plage de la Réserve has a cinematic quality to it. The kind you'd expect to see in a classic
Brigitte Bardot film.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Lavidah
Plage de la Mala
At first glance, what will instantly stand out about Plage de la Mala is its jewel-town waters. The gradient colors are absolutely breathtaking, perfect to post on a
travel inspo Instagram account. And when you get to the actual shoreline, the view from here will truly dazzle you! Even when the beach tends to get busy at times, you still won't care. As long as you get to enjoy such amazing scenery, it's more than enough!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Bureau d'information Cap d'Ail
Île Sainte-Marguerite
Right off the coast of Cannes, Île Sainte-Marguerite is among the more
underrated spots in the city. Cannes is more known for its film festival and luxury shopping districts, after all. It's no surprise that a fairly remote island isn't as popular as the others. And yet that's what makes it such a great destination too. Its largely untouched coast is definitely among the best beaches on the French Riviera. Getting to escape the rest of the world and just relax here is the ultimate Mediterranean fantasy.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Jarek Prokop
Solarium Beach
Finally, there's Solarium Beach in Monaco. Although Monaco has since become its own territory that's separate from France, it's still widely regarded as part of the French Riviera. And Solarium Beach is definitely among the most unique beaches on the French Riviera too. Though it's referred to as a “beach,” there's actually no shoreline here. Instead, cement bleachers serve as the seaside area where people can hang out when they don't want to go into the water. Pretty out-of-the-box, sure, but it's not all that bad. This just lets you enjoy the Mediterranean waters even more!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Some of the best beaches on the French Riviera are the ultimate summer paradises in the world. They're beautiful, warm, and so serene. It's no wonder the south of France is such a popular destination!
